POLICE are treating a fire which trapped a toddler in a top floor flat as attempted murder after revealing it was started deliberately.

A two-year-old girl and her 41-year-old mum were rescued by fire fighters after being trapped by the blaze in their top floor flat at 4am this morning.

Police believe the family were deliberately targeted in the fire-raising attack at their home in Renfrew's Simons Crescent.

It's believed that flammable material was set alight at the family's front door, giving the mum and tot no means of escape.

The mum and daughter were taken to the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley where they are being treated for smoke inhalation

Detective Inspector David Wagstaff at Paisley CID said: “We are treating this incident as attempted murder as it is believed that the fire was started deliberately outside the door of the flat.

“This was a despicable act which illustrates the culprit or culprits total disregard for this family’s safety. It could have left a mother and her young daughter with more serious injuries or indeed worse if it were not for the woman being awakened by her smoke alarm.

“We believe that this family was targeted deliberately and we are currently making enquiries as to the circumstances behind it.

“I’d like to speak to anyone who may have seen anyone hanging around Simons Crescent or the neighbouring streets around 0400 hrs this morning. If anyone has any information about this incident I would urge them to contact police as a matter of urgency.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Paisley CID on telephone number 101 or alternatively CRIMESTOPPERS on 0800 555 111 where anonymity can be maintained.

Three engines from Renfrew and Govan community fire stations were sent to the scene after getting reports that the flat was on fire and people were trapped.

Six firefighters wearing breathing equipment put out the fire and carried out a search of the smoke-logged building.

The fire service commander at the scene, station manager Kenny Barbour, said the crews "worked tirelessly in arduous conditions to extinguish the fire and to ensure the safety of the occupants of the flats".

Specialist officers from the SFRS investigation unit are involved in a joint probe with police to determine the cause of the incident.